WFHiversary
Next week will mark one full year that I have been working from home and self-quarantining. And while mentally, I’m holding up, it’s hard not to look back on the past year and wonder what came of it. Or rather, what didn’t. It would be so easy to come down on myself and lash out for not getting more done with this tremendous amount of so-called free time I had the past year. Are you doing the same? Do you look at Taylor Swift releasing three albums in one year or James Patterson still publishing 12 books a week and wonder where it went wrong for you? I know it may be easier said than done, but please go easy on yourself. Remember that we have been going through ‘unprecedented times’ for what feels like forever, and it’s okay that instead of finishing that novel or submitting that poem, you burritoed yourself into a blanket and binge watched all of Netflix. It’s fine. I promise. Continue doing what you can. Take care of yourself. And if that involves firing up the laptop or picking up a pen, how about you try out our new prompts for this month, the first of which is posted below.
~Arden
This Week’s Writing Prompt is:
Photo Source: Robert Lukeman
Your job, should you choose to accept it, is to write a story or essay using this image. Want some pointers on how to do this? We’ve gone into detail in this month’s Technique Toolbox on Navigating Prompts.
There are no word limits. You can write fiction or nonfiction; you may interpret the prompt any way you like. Share your response in the Coffeehouse, located both on Facebook or Discord, by linking your blog post, Google Doc, or other file. Check out your fellow YeahWriters’ responses, and don’t forget to leave them some love in the comments!
Looking for our weekly grids? After nearly ten years, they’ve been retired. Read more about the latest changes to YeahWrite in the #500 Weekly Writing Challenge Kickoff Post.
The Schedule
We will release a new prompt on our blog every Friday at 12pm Eastern.
Then it’s up to you! Write your response to the prompt on your own blog or website and share the link in the Coffeehouse, located both on Facebook or Discord. If you prefer to keep your work under wraps (and away from the eyes of potential publishers), you can still ask for beta readers in the Coffeehouse and share your work privately!
Every Monday, we’ll check in to see how you’re doing and what your writing goals are for the week.
Wednesdays are “Work-in-Progress Wednesdays.” Share a few sentences or even a paragraph or two in the Coffeehouse (no more than 250 words, please). Even if you’re not done writing, this could be the boost you need to stay motivated.
Did you publish a book? Do you have a story in a magazine? The First Friday of every month is for self-promotion, where you can share commercial links to your work for purchase. (You can always share the news that you’ve been accepted for publication, though!)
And of course, the entire community is here 24-7 to share your victories and setbacks, challenges and accomplishments. So come on in, pull up a chair, and say hello. We’re all writers here.
Upcoming and Ongoing
Sign up for our email blast so you don’t miss out on any upcoming classes, workshops, or competitions.
Ongoing: Navigating Prompts (Free Workshop)
Each month, we’ll talk you through how to analyze and respond to a specific prompt style. We’ll coordinate the weekly prompts with the monthly post so you’ll have a chance to practice, compare notes with other writers in the Coffeehouse, located both on Facebook or Discord, and get advice from beta readers and YeahWrite editors. You’ll get to hone your skills when you’re not in crisis mode, trying to meet that fast-approaching deadline. And who knows—maybe you’ll end up with a new story or two in your back pocket!
This month, we’ll be taking the first of two looks at the difficult photo prompt. Photo prompts are broad and specific at the same time. So how do you incorporate a particular photo into your story to maximum effect? March’s post will walk you through it. Check it out!
Super Challenge #19
Round 2 of Super Challenge #19 is officially underway! Good luck to all our remaining participants as they furiously finish their essays. Did you miss out on registration? Make sure you sign up for our email blast so you don’t miss out on any Super Challenge announcements.
Super Challenge #20
Registration for Super Challenge #20 will open in early March! Our twentieth (!!) Super Challenge will be a flash fiction competition, and we hope you will join us. Want to be notified when registration opens? Make sure you sign up for our email blast.
About the author:
Behind the scenes, Arden is currently working on the first novel of her Fated Paths trilogy. She also published a number of short stories and a fantasy anthology which can all be purchased on Amazon. Arden lives in Seattle, Washington with her husband and two rescue pups. To read more of her stories, visit her website.
